Lampung University Rector Arrested by KPK; Number of Lecturers Revealed

Indonesia's education world is once again tarnished by irresponsible individuals following the arrest of the Rector of the University of Lampung (Unila), Prof. Dr. Karomani, M.Si, in Bandung on Saturday, August 20, 2022, by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Karomani was apprehended in a KPK sting operation while receiving a bribe of approximately Rp5 billion for the independent student admission pathway at Unila. A rector, who should be a role model for his students, instead prostituted his position for personal and group gain.

In addition to the Unila rector, the KPK also arrested Budi Utomo, Head of the Unila Bureau of Planning and Public Relations; Muhammad Basri, Chairman of the Unila Senate; and Adi Tri Wibowo in Bandung last week.

The KPK also subsequently arrested Heryandi, Unila's Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs; the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; and Andi Desfiandi, the bribe giver.

For information, Unila had 1,330 lecturers in the 2020/2021 academic year. This comprised 1,152 civil servant lecturers (PNS) and 155 non-civil servant lecturers (including 23 from the Public Lecture Organizer/BKU).

Furthermore, Unila also has 80 professors and approximately 25,000 students.